Cuba, the tail of the crocodile

Today you will be greeted at the airport by our team, who will be in charge of collecting the bags and assisting you with the immigration procedures. Meet your assistant-guide who will take you to your hotel in a unique vintage convertible car. Upon your arrival, you will also have time to talk about your program in a beautiful terrace while drinking a beverage and make some last-minute updates in the itinerary if necessary.

• Assistant-guide:This person is an expert in the city and will be at your entire service throughout your stay. The assistant-guide will be available, either physically or by telephone, 24 hours a day, from the arrival in Havana until departure.
• Transfer to accommodation in a vintage convertible car: We have a large vintage car collection. Our cars have received several awards and some of the stories are as interesting as having carried inside models of the international fashion brand Channel and other celebrities. You can choose your car´s colour and model.

This day we propose you an immersion to Old and Modern Havana, to discover the city and the communities. The beauty of its streets and monuments, history and anecdotes hidden in its corners. We also want you to taste the main flavours of this Island:

• • Cuban culinary experience: Visit a Cuban market with your assistant-guide to buy some ingredients for the day's recipe. Continue to one of the most famous restaurants in Havana and enjoy a master class from the chefs in the elaboration area. The lesson begins with a brief introduction to the Cuban cuisine history, always mixed with the Cuban culture and traditions. Cooking the famous ¨Ajiaco¨, a traditional Cuban dish. Also, there will be time to learn how to prepare the classic Mojito with the barman of the restaurant. Finally, time to taste and enjoy the meal.
  • Old Havana Tour with a famous Architect or a City Historian Office member: The astonishing knowledge of this celebrity, let you discover the most diverse anecdotes and curiosities in a special way. You will also know about the work of this organization in the holistic development of the City Center. Start the tour visiting Morro-Cabaña Fortress military system to explain the structure of the city and stop at ¨Cristo Redentor¨ viewpoint, with excellent views of the city. Right after, ennjoy a walking tour through the main plazas and historical places.
• Cuban Cigar, Rum, Coffee and Chocolate pairing with one of the best Habano´s Sommelier: Visit a tobacco factory and the Cuban Rum Museum, learn about the elaboration process and the main brands of the 2 products of excellence that raise the name of the Island worldwide. The perfect ‘finale’ will be a Cuban Tobacco, Rum, Coffee and Chocolate pairing, by one of the best Habano´s Sommelier recognized worldwide. The teacher will guide you on how to pair these 4 components in the most exquisite way, according to their different typologies and obtain the perfect aroma, flavour and textures from each of the mixtures.

After tasting the most typical meals in the area, there is time to enter the territory of the youngest Habano´s Man in the World. Visiting the fields, entering a tobacco drying house or even smoking a cigar with Héctor Luis is, without a doubt, the best way to discover how a simple plant becomes a worldwideacclaimed product.We also invite youto a lively walk to get to know the rare geological formations and the native flora and fauna inViñales Valley.

• Meet the Habano´s Youngest Man and his land:Héctor Luis Prieto Díaz is considered the most successful tobacco plantation master in Cuba and the one who cultivates the best tobacco leaves. We invite you to visit his farm located in Quemado de Rubí, Pinar Del Río, and see with your own eyes a great part of the process. You could even enjoy a horse ride, breathe the freedom of this fields or sharing a cigar with Héctor Luis who is always willing to receive his visitors.
• Viñales Valley: This picturesque valley was named Cultural Landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999, thanks to the farms and bucolic populations that contrast with the iconic karst mogotes of the region (rounded mountains with lots of caves inside). The spectacular landscape is simply astonishing and very exotic. This valley also shelters a 270 million-year-old fossil: the cork palm (Mycrocycascalocoma). The locals living there are always friendly and always become an added attraction.

There will be the time to continue by the tail of the crocodile. Today we will get to know two very different towns in the Western Cuban side of the island, each one with its own unique characteristics and attractions that makes them very different and special.

• Zapata Swamp:A very peculiar territory on the Island,declared Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000, the site has about 78 endemic species of plants, 16 unique species of reptiles, such as crocodiles, manjuarí and jutía and about 200 species of birds, either migratory or native. The wetlands also show very interesting local people with great history linked to the fighting that once took place on its coasts against United States troupes.This will be the opportunity to meet a crocodile reserve, a representation of the first populations that inhabited Cuba and the possibility of bathing or snorkelling in brackish and crystalline waters full of colourful fish.
• Pearl of the Sea: Cienfuegos is a charming city facing the sea. Its nickname comes from its picturesque nautical environment that pirates and corsairs visited for centuries.The calm waters of the region are also ideal for boat or kayak sailing.The unique culture of Cienfuegos is attributed to its ancestries as a French enclave. The city exhibits a group of buildings of outstanding architecture declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 2005. A city tour for local attractions and a boat ride to watch the sunset are some of the surprises.

Today we invite you to discover ¨Topes de Collantes¨, a natural park and a wonderful flora and faunarefuge. We want you to enjoy this interesting excursion that combines beautiful views, vivid colours and crystalline rivers from the purest spring.

• Jeep Safari through the mountains:Departure by 4x4 jeep towards the Cumanayagua road until you reach¨El Nicho¨ natural park. On the walk to Nicho you can observe the city from the ¨Mirador de Crucecita¨.Upon arriving at the park, continue with a tour of an ecological path, accompanied by an ecotourism guide. This is one of the few places where you can see the Tocororo, The National Cuban Bird, a beautiful specie with surprising colours that is capable of killing itself if it is in captivity. Time to take a bath in the natural pools and waterfalls. After a creole lunch at El Nicho restaurant, it will be time to go to Trinidad through the Southern road.
• Trinitarian Night:Trinidad is a city that brings us surprises even at dinnertime. Tonight, you will have a special dinner in a restaurant that is also a museum of vintage crockery, passed from generation to generation until reaching the hands of the current owner of the business. There will be time to enjoy the nightlife of this small and ancient city. Visit ¨Casa de la Trova¨ Night Center or ¨La Cueva¨ disco (Literallyinside a real cave).

We cannot leave Trinidad without a guided city tour to discover the secrets of the magical beauty and the stories that emerge from its colonial houses and its narrow-cobbled streets. That is why we will begin a story that will then move us through sugar mills and adventures of lords and slaves.

• Trinidad downtown city tour:It's easy to realize why Trinidad is "the Museum City.” Meticulously preserved, it offers a window to the past, with great mansions and colonial plazas. Many of its impressive buildings are museums, such as the Municipal History Museum, the Trinitarian Architecture Museum, the Romantic Museum or Cantero Palace. The Church of the Holy Trinity or Plaza Mayor squareare also two of the most visited places. Finally, there will be the traditional ceremony of tastingthe local drink: La Canchánchara.
• Sugar Mills Valley:This unique valley has a lot of attractions to see and enjoy. Most of the wealth that the city had during XVII and XIX centuries was due, in a large part, to sugar production. It was in this valley where all the sugar mills were located. The remains of ancient properties are preserved until today. Being there is like travel to the past and see the luxury life of the landowners and the harsh living conditions for their slaves. There is a once-secret route, which slaves used to escape and meet others in the depths of the forest.

Santa María Cay is an earthly paradise located in the North, in Jardines del Rey archipelago. It is the best place to rest and enjoy a complete relaxation in luxury facilities and beautiful beaches with transparent waters and fine white sand that never overheats, due to its components based on coral crystals. This is also the perfect scenery for doing surfing, sailing,snorkelling, or maybe swim with dolphins or enjoy an impressive sunset.

Time to relax and enjoy:From day 7 to 10, time to relax. Your guide-assistant will be always at your service in case you want to book an excursion or have some special requirements.

The adventure is coming to the end. It is time to return to the capital and enjoy one the last sunset in front of Havana Bay.

• Time to relax and enjoy:The last night will be in Havana, Transfer from Santa María Cay to Havana City. Time to visit all those places pending in the list by your own.

• Time to say goodbye, or rather ‘see you soon,’because our clients that visited all the crocodile tail, they know there are much more to see, experience and share ...

• Visit San José Warehouses:Famous for being the largest craft market in Havana and Cuba, this impressive site, formerly a port's warehouse, exhibits an abundant collection of gifts and souvenirs that can be acquired from Havana. That will be our last stop before leaving to the airport.

• Transfer to the airport in a classic convertible car:  If it was very difficult to select just one car for your transfer in, this will be the opportunity to ride another attractive car from our luxury collection. A nice way to leave Havana City, for this time…